Charlotte gets rare game against ACC team in NCAA tournament

The lack of games against the other top programs in the state gnaws a bit at Lutz. After replacing Melvin Watkins at his alma mater, he has taken the 49ers to the postseason six times, including five trips to the NCAA tournament.

Despite the success, he feels a bit overlooked locally, particularly given the popularity of the ACC in North Carolina.

"We tend to find that our perception outside of the state is better than it is inside the state," Lutz said. "We recruit out-of-state kids because it's a lot easier, to be honest. I am not bitter about it, it's just reality."

Sendek scoffed at the notion that anyone would belittle Lutz and Charlotte.

"I don't know who would look down on them," Sendek said. "It would take somebody with a great deal of arrogance, because they are very successful, and they've got a great job."

This matchup is far from the only intriguing one of the first round. Eastern Kentucky coach Travis Ford leads the Colonels against Kentucky in Indianapolis; Ford was a star guard with the Wildcats in the early 1990s.

While Sendek joked that he didn't laugh when he saw the pairing with the 49ers, he knows the selection committee often has a sense of humor with early round games - even if committee chairman Bob Bowlsby doesn't agree.

"It was pure luck of the draw," he said. "That's the way the bracket went together. We don't match-make, we don't set up television games. That's just how it works out."

This time, luck apparently was with Lutz and his team with the brackets were released.

"As a coach, the first thing I am thinking about is how are we going to win," Lutz said. "And my second thought was I knew our fans would be really excited to play an ACC team. Perception-wise, it is important, it is a chance to play an ACC team."